Units of the Colombian Navy jointly, coordinated and interinstitutional with the National Army, the Colombian Air Force, the Technical Investigation - CTI (Technical Investigations Corps) of the Prosecutor's Office and Migracion Colombia, in two operations to safeguard the lives of 35 irregular migrants, including three minors, of Chilean and Venezuelan nationality, who were illegally transported to Central America.
Through the Traffic Control and Maritime Surveillance System of San Andr茅s it was possible to identify the ships that made suspicious movements to the southwest and northwest of the island, for which timely notice was given to the Coast Guard Station, which deployed Rapid Reaction Units in order to verify the situation.
During the first operation, it was possible to intercept a boat 10 nautical miles from San Andr茅s, manned by two individuals illegally transporting 24 people of Venezuelan nationality, including a minor.
Subsequently, in an operation carried out jointly by the Colombian Navy, the National Army and the Colombian Air Force, it was possible to safeguard the lives of 11 people, two of whom were minors, who were being transported irregularly on a boat by two individuals of Colombian nationality, apparently bound for Central America.
Crew members of the Naval Institution recovered the migrants and took them to a safe port at the Coast Guard Station of San Andr茅s and Providencia, where they were put into custody of Migraci贸n Colombia, while the minors were handed over to the Family Police Station and the Childhood and Adolescence Police for the respective procedures.
Meanwhile, the four individuals, the two boats and the communication equipment found, were put into custody of to the s authorities.
So far this year, the strict controls of the units of the Colombian Navy in the Archipelago of San Andr茅s y Providencia, have led to the search and rescue of 201 people who intended to make irregular transit in Colombian Caribbean waters, thus contributing to safeguarding human life at sea.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
